Are condos being built smart enough?

Not only could enhanced building performance translate into sustainable buildings that could one day produce as much energy as they use, but it means condo residents could also benefit from lower fees and better resale value.

While energy expenditure accounts for 30 to 40 per cent of condo fees, reducing it can significantly lower fees.

Ontario’s building code already mandates a lot of “green” principles, but the key to trimming energy use is building quality, according to David Thompson, Principal-Building Envelope Specialist at Entuitive Corp.

“You’d have to start looking at the mechanical systems they’re putting in and their efficiency,” said Thompson. “Developers are looking at the bottom line, square-foot cost and keeping it low, but I think there’s a lot more mechanical systems that can be put in that cost a little more, but they perform better and there’s better payback for the end-user of the building.”